Intrusive Thoughts Test: Frequency, Distress & Control
63 questions·10 min·5 dimensions and a separate readiness-to-change module·up to 17 clinical frameworks·6 report sections
Reviewed by Gildas Garrec, CBT practitioner
Good morning,
This test sets the content of the thoughts aside and looks at what surrounds it: how often they return, the distress produced, the effort spent driving the thought away and what that effort actually achieves, and the confusion between thinking and wanting.
The report places each of these four aspects on the basis of your answers.
What you receive — a report written from your answers: what stands out, what sustains it, and where to start. This week, this month, later on.
How it is built — each axis is analyzed on its own, then cross-read with the others, through clinical reading frameworks. Your detailed answers are attached as an appendix. See an example report
The test runs over 63 questions and takes about 10 min, for a price of $3.60.
We'd also suggest reading the book The Practical CBT Guide, to take this reflection further. It's included in the price and downloadable.
If you have a question about your report, write to us at contact@psychologieetserenite.com: a psychotherapist will reply within 48 hours.
Intrusive Thoughts Test: Frequency, Distress & Control — a 63-question self-assessment, about 10 min. This test sets the content of the intrusive thought aside and looks at what surrounds it: frequency, distress, control attempts, thought-action fusion. Once finished, you receive a detailed PDF report ($3.60): an interpretation of its 5 dimensions, a radar chart, up to 17 clinical reading frameworks and a personalized action plan. It is designed to help you know yourself better.
This test covers intrusive thoughts, control, shame, guilt, anxiety, mood, avoidance, rumination, reassurance, responsibility, anticipation, identity and readiness to change.
What the test asks, for example
Intrusive thoughts
If unwanted thoughts appear in your mind suddenly.
If these thoughts stay the exception rather than the rule in your everyday life.
Control
If you put a lot of effort into pushing these thoughts away.
If these thoughts pass on their own, without particular effort on your part.
Shame
If these thoughts make you feel shame or disgust toward yourself.
If you can talk about these thoughts openly without fearing judgment.
Guilt
If you feel shame or guilt for thinking them.
If an inappropriate thought stays disconnected from who you really are.
Anxiety
If simply having these thoughts distresses you.
If the discomfort tied to these thoughts passes quickly, on its own.
Mood
If these thoughts make you so anxious they spoil your mood.
If these thoughts leave your mood unchanged.
Avoidance
If you avoid situations that might trigger these thoughts.
If you keep your usual routine, even when these thoughts might come up.
Rumination
If the more you try not to think about something, the more the thought returns.
If you let these thoughts pass without trying to distract yourself.
Reassurance
If you try to replace an intrusive thought with a positive or reassuring thought.
If you stay calm on your own when these thoughts arise, without needing to call anyone.
Responsibility
If thinking about a misfortune makes you feel you are contributing to it.
If you know your thoughts have no power over what happens.
Anticipation
If you believe that thinking about a bad event increases the chances of it happening.
If thinking something leaves its real likelihood unchanged, to your mind.
Identity
If you are afraid these thoughts say something bad about you.
If imagining an act makes you doubt your true intentions.
Readiness to change
If these thoughts have a real effect on your daily life.
If you believe you are capable of growing in this area.
About this test
▼
Dimensions assessed
●
Your reading of these intrusive thoughts- The way you explain the presence of these unwanted thoughts, before the test tells you anything. This section does not measure any difficulty and does not produce a level: it collects a starting reading. None of the proposed answers is more correct than another, and the number associated with this section has no particular meaning. Your answer is picked up and commented on in the section of the report dedicated to you.
●
Frequency of intrusions- How often unwanted thoughts force their way into your mind.
●
Distress experienced- Level of suffering and discomfort caused by intrusive thoughts.
●
Control attempts- Efforts made to suppress, neutralize, or control intrusive thoughts.
●
Thought-action fusion- Belief that thinking something is equivalent to doing it or increases the likelihood of it happening.
●
Readiness to Change- Measures your current readiness to acknowledge the impact of this topic on your life and engage in a process of growth.
Reference frameworks and authors
DSM-5 — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
ICD-11 — International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (World Health Organization, 2022)
Why take this test?
▼
This test sets the content of the thoughts aside and looks at what surrounds it: how often they return, the distress produced, the effort spent driving the thought away and what that effort actually achieves, and the confusion between thinking and wanting.
The report places each of these four aspects on the basis of your answers.
The questionnaire explores 5 areas: Your reading of these intrusive thoughts, Frequency of intrusions, Distress experienced, Control attempts, Thought-action fusion. Your answers support reflection, not a diagnosis. A separate module explores readiness to change; it is not another trait of the model presented.
Dimensions explored
These are the aspects explored by this questionnaire. Your answers help put them into perspective.
Your reading of these intrusive thoughts
The way you explain the presence of these unwanted thoughts, before the test tells you anything. This section does not measure any difficulty and does not produce a level: it collects a starting reading. None of the proposed answers is more correct than another, and the number associated with this section has no particular meaning. Your answer is picked up and commented on in the section of the report dedicated to you.
Frequency of intrusions
How often unwanted thoughts force their way into your mind.
Distress experienced
Level of suffering and discomfort caused by intrusive thoughts.
Control attempts
Efforts made to suppress, neutralize, or control intrusive thoughts.
Thought-action fusion
Belief that thinking something is equivalent to doing it or increases the likelihood of it happening.
Readiness to Change
Measures your current readiness to acknowledge the impact of this topic on your life and engage in a process of growth.
How does it work?
1
Take the test
Answer the 63 questions honestly. There are no right or wrong answers — just choose the option that best describes you. The test takes about 10 min.
2
Proceed to payment
Once you finish the test, pay $3.60 securely to unlock your full report. No registration required.
3
Download your detailed PDF report
For a comprehensive analysis, get your PDF report (5 dimensions analyzed, radar chart, personalized recommendations, action plan). Instant download after secure payment.
They took this test
★★★★★
“ Having intrusive thoughts used to fill me with shame. The report reassured me: it's far more common than people think. The cognitive-defusion strategies it suggests help me a lot. ”
— Cécile, November 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this test measure?
▼
This test evaluates 5 psychological dimensions: Your reading of these intrusive thoughts, Frequency of intrusions, Distress experienced, Control attempts, Thought-action fusion. The report distinguishes the areas explored and their limits of interpretation. A separate module explores readiness to change; it is not another trait of the model presented.
How long does this test take?
▼
The test contains 63 questions and takes approximately 10 min to complete. You can answer at your own pace — your progress is automatically saved in your browser.
How does this test work?
▼
The test is anonymous and requires no registration. After completing it, you immediately see a preview of your results. The detailed PDF report, with in-depth analysis, charts and personalized recommendations, is available for $3.60.
Is this test scientifically validated?
▼
This questionnaire draws on 5 dimensions from recognized psychological frameworks (Your reading of these intrusive thoughts, Frequency of intrusions, Distress experienced…). It's a self-assessment tool for reflection, not a clinical diagnostic instrument: it has not undergone formal psychometric validation (sample, reliability coefficient) and does not replace a professional assessment.
What does the PDF report contain?
▼
Your report includes an analysis by dimension, explanations and personalised points for reflection and a separate readiness-to-change module. Scores are interpreted according to the purpose and limitations of this questionnaire.
Is my data kept confidential?
▼
No account creation, no email required — no sign-up needed at all. Your answers are sent to our servers while you take the test. All data is automatically deleted after 30 days — see our Privacy page for full detail.
Who is this test for?
▼
Read this test’s introduction and dimensions to check whether they match your situation. Answer from the perspective specified in the instructions.
Can I retake the test later?
▼
Yes, you can retake this test as many times as you wish. Some people take it again after several months to observe how their profile evolves. Each new attempt generates its own report — previous answers are not reused.
What should I do with my results?
▼
The report organises your answers and offers points for reflection. You can discuss it with a professional; it does not replace their assessment or prescribe treatment.
Can people close to me also take it?
▼
Yes. Each person gets their own anonymous, unique report, based on THEIR answers. Comparing profiles within a family or couple can be useful — provided each person takes the test honestly and on their own, without influencing one another during the answers.
Related Resources
Understanding OCD
Everything about obsessive-compulsive disorders and their treatment.
Mental Health and Well-being
In-depth articles on mental health and psychological disorders.
